Email

It’s one thing to deal with a man often referred to as Im the Dim. It’s a very different thing altogether to deal with a man who merits the moniker of Donald the Dangerous.

In a recent Dawnop-ed, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy argued that Imran Khan is the Donald Trump of Pakistan. I beg to differ.

Yes, there are many striking similarities between the two men. Both are celebrities-turned-politicians with sky-high egos.

Both espouse very conservative views and exploit the deep anti-government grievances of right-wing constituencies. And both are as far as one can possibly get from camera-shy wallflowers.

And yet, these convergences are merely superficial. In the end, the analogy simply doesn’t hold for me.

Political scale

First, Khan occupies a significant position in Pakistan’s political hierarchy. He’s elevated the PTI to great prominence in quite rapid fashion, and he boasts a track record of electoral success.

In short, Khan is a bonafide political star. Trump, to put it mildly, is not.

Trump is a wildly successful businessman, but he’s barely gotten his feet wet in politics. And don’t be fooled by his high-flying act as a leading Republican Party presidential candidate.

In US presidential campaigns, fringe candidates often ride on the coattails of populist anger to rush to the front of the pack early on, only to quietly fade away later on.

Naïve not nefarious

Second, Khan may harbour some misguided and troubling views (I’ve written previously in this space about his disturbingly complacent attitudes toward anti-state militancy). Still, they pale in comparison to Trump’s. Trump says such outrageous things that he makes Khan sound like Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Let’s face it: Naya Pakistan may be naïve, but it is neither nasty nor nefarious.

It’s certainly fanciful to promise an end to corruption in 90 days, but it’s downright cruel and bordering on racism to call for a “Great Wall of Trump” to keep Mexican immigrants out of America.

Also, when was the last time we heard about a cancer hospital developed and funded by Trump — or, for that matter, about any type of Trump charitable project?

Trump claims to contribute to many different charities, and I’m quite sure he does. Yet, he’s no prodigious philanthropist. In fact, an investigation by The Smoking Gun website has concluded that Trump may be the “least charitable billionaire in the United States.”

The supporters

Third and finally, let’s consider the supporters of Khan and Trump.

Not to state the obvious, but there are many admirable and well-informed Insafians out there. Generally speaking, they are a well-intentioned (even if sometimes naïve) lot.

Yes, some will troll you viciously on Twitter. Some can be quite intense in person, too, and especially when railing about drones or other US-patented evils.

But even the most unpleasant Insafians can’t hold a candle to Trump’s partisans.

What’s so scary about Trump’s supporters is not necessarily what they say or do — but rather what they don’t say and don’t do.

It’s worth watching the video of Trump’s town hall meeting in New Hampshire a few days back. At one point, a supporter in the crowd asks, “when can we get rid of” Muslims. Trump’s response: “We’re going to be looking at that.”

This brief exchange was sickening enough. But so was the way in which the audience reacted — or more accurately, did not react.

From the time the question was posed to the time that Trump uttered his terse response, the people seated behind Trump barely batted an eyelid. They simply sat there; several appeared to be smiling.

It was as if the terrible things said in such a shocking back-and-forth were somehow commonplace, and didn’t merit one iota of concern.

Contrast this with Khan’s jalsas, when scores of supporters cheer him on as he thunders about drones or vote-rigging, or even when he grandstands atop a container while saying nasty things about Nawaz Sharif.

These supporters may be endorsing some questionable viewpoints and highly distasteful remarks, but at least they’re not acquiescing in the most base and ugly form of prejudice (this is not to say, alas, that all Khan supporters are unabashed champions of Pakistan’s imperiled religious minorities).

It’s one thing to deal with a man often referred to as Im the Dim. It’s a very different thing altogether to deal with a man who merits the moniker of Donald the Dangerous.

Are there troubling dimensions to the politics of Imran Khan? Absolutely. But are they as troubling as the politics of Donald Trump?

Absolutely not.

So, who should be known as Pakistan’s Donald Trump? I’ll let others answer that question. At any rate, it’s not Imran Khan.

Email

Michael Kugelman is deputy director of the Asia Program and senior associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. He can be reached at michael.kugelman@wilsoncenter.org or on Twitter @michaelkugelman

The views expressed by this writer and commenters below do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.

Comments (129) Closed

In a comment I made on Dr. Hoodbhoy's article I said about the same thing you say but very briefly.

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ZAID_GUL

Sep 21, 2015 01:21pm

I agree, Imran Khan may be a poor man's Trump, but the supporters of Imran Khan far outweigh Trump's. So whatever IK says and do is going to have huge impact on Pakistan as a nation, a year back's dharna almost paralysed govt. and effectively Pakistan. It is far more important for IK to be matured.

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Abdul Rehman

Sep 21, 2015 01:23pm

Very fair comparison. IK is atleast not a fascistic and racist like Trump

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Ahmed USA

Sep 21, 2015 01:26pm

Beg to differ from both of you... Donald Trump is an astute businessman who is in business of politics with a simple ideology of marketing "Trump" brand and does not care if he loses nomination bid... whereas Imran Khan is an ordinary honest man who wants to use the resources at his disposal to sincerely help his motherland though guileless and naive about world of politics... simply put Trump's moves are "calculated" whereas Khan's more often than not "clueless"...

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Zeeshan Arshad

Sep 21, 2015 01:27pm

this article should garner more weightage once Malik Riaz decides to enter politics . Trump only is running the campaign due to the billions he has thanks to "no charity" policy he fully adheres to. He would be reduced to dust , come the elections.

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Shiraz

Sep 21, 2015 01:27pm

Both have their own class when it comes to political immaturity, lack of vision and vanity. Both are so self centred that they can not observe the contradictions and lack of substance in what they say and what a serious political situation demands.

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Mariam

Sep 21, 2015 01:29pm

Comparing Imran Khan to Donald Trump is a huge disservice to one of Pakistan's biggest heroes.

It's sad to see how blind people can become in envy and hatred.

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AA

Sep 21, 2015 01:29pm

I think Dr. Hoodbhoy's article was right on correct...

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AA

Sep 21, 2015 01:29pm

@ZAID_GUL you mean HUUUUUGGE impact!

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JZ

Sep 21, 2015 01:32pm

Khan is the leader with struggles in his account. Trump is the businessmen with millions in his account.

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Tariq

Sep 21, 2015 01:41pm

So finally IK in defensive position after Hoodbhoy bashing.

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Imtiaz Piracha

Sep 21, 2015 01:45pm

I have read Trump’s memoir (The Art of Deal); to be the richest man around mainly in real estate business (sounds more like Zardari!), was his major goal in life. How does that compare with a sportsman cum philanthropist Imran Khan?

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ubaid khan, UK

Sep 21, 2015 01:45pm

imran khan is our hero in pakistan, donald trump is not in the US. period .

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ak

Sep 21, 2015 01:51pm

Trump will never lead the US. Imran just might !

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Dr Raana Dar

Sep 21, 2015 02:01pm

Mr Hoodbhoy should read this article. Khan means well for Pakistan. His sincerity and his loyalty to Pakistan plus his honesty dedication perseverance and will to set things right will over power his shortcomings. Inshallah he will go a long way!

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Ahmad

Sep 21, 2015 02:05pm

The article has only tried to inform the reader that IK is only a lesser Trump ... But still He is a Trump.....

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Idealist

Sep 21, 2015 02:09pm

@ubaid khan, UK, He may be hero for crowd that has internet access inside or outside Pakistan but trust me bro , the ground reality is very different, he is equally zero for other segments of the society , Please don't tell me parha likha crowd loves him , cuz our urban centers are yet not embraced him i.e Karachi & Lahore

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Noman Ansari

Sep 21, 2015 02:11pm

While I am not longer a fan of IK, I feel your blog is more balanced.

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Nimrah

Sep 21, 2015 02:16pm

Imran Khan has never instigated violence or extremism. He blasts the decades-long rule of the corrupt rulers who have destroyed the country. To compare him to Trump is maddening & sickening. Imran Khan does not have a striving business that he needs to look after and make policies to protect; he does not encourage religious extremism, his opponents have already done that! He tries to curb the harm that has been done by asking Pakistanis to unite against injustice of any form. The man does not bow down to any sort of extortion;

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Tariq Amir

Sep 21, 2015 02:26pm

@Mariam And by love as well!

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Reality check

Sep 21, 2015 02:27pm

Not Trump but Sarah Palin

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Harmony-1

Sep 21, 2015 02:40pm

Mr Kugelman, yes absolutely, you got it right. It was probably the first time I could not agree with Mr Hoodbhoy (an academician) as his similarities of Khan and Trump were superficial. Our biggest cancer is undoubtedly corruption and the need to strengthen our institutions being used as political tools and there is no better choice for that right now than Khan to take the bull by the horns.

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T

Sep 21, 2015 02:41pm

This piece just glosses over what Dr. Hoodbhoy's article was really stating. Hoodbhoy was suggesting a troubling mindset emerging in Pakistani and American societies. IK and Trump are symptoms of these mindsets. But Mr. MICHAEL KUGELMAN's response is at best knee-jerk and entirely superficial.

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Shehzad Shah

Sep 21, 2015 02:51pm

Dr.Kugelman, you ignore the fact that Pakistan's political spectrum is well to the right of the US'. Its an Islamic Republic after all. So while Imran Khan might be more centrist than Trump, that's at least in part because far-right wing in the US is center-right in Pakistan. Imran supporters don't talk about getting rid of Ahmedis for example. They don't need to.

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Z

Sep 21, 2015 02:57pm

@Chris
"There are two different types of leaders!"
no sir, trump is no leader at all.

@ZAID_GUL
And are you completely ignoring the positive & long term affects of Dharna? so convenient.

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Dilectus

Sep 21, 2015 03:10pm

Good reply. To be honest, I never expected such sub-standard writing from Dr HB. Maybe some personal vendetta clouded his judgement.

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zKazi

Sep 21, 2015 03:11pm

To be fair in comparison Nawaz is more like Donald Trump both are business persons. Imran is a self made man all his life is exposed to majority and rest of the world how he struggled hard for his dream of Naya Pakistan. Simply there is no comparison between Trump and IK.

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Shakil Ahmed Khan

Sep 21, 2015 03:20pm

MICHAEL KUGELMAN made a far fairer assessment than our own Dr Hoodbhouy!

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Rahat

Sep 21, 2015 03:21pm

A very balancing response to respected Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy where he has picked and detailed with exaggeration all the negative points

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Ashraf Ahmad

Sep 21, 2015 03:22pm

Quite a different personalities . Imran is a true muslin at heart and not money hungry where as Trump is all about how and how much.

You will never find anybody as honest as Imran for times to come. He is considered naive as he is not as "SHAATER" as most Pakistani politicians.

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Islam

Sep 21, 2015 03:34pm

well written fair assessment

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Bader

Sep 21, 2015 03:35pm

Donald is what some in the US may term as "white trash".

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brutally honest

Sep 21, 2015 03:36pm

Agree and thank you for your response.
Hope Mr hoodbhoy reads it too.

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SFA

Sep 21, 2015 03:59pm

@Z Yes there were many positives from the Dharna. The startling revelations of Javed Hashmi, attack on PTV and Parliament and the thrashing of rigging allegations by the JC. By the way, the two persons who died during the storming of the Parliament, does IK have any regret or remorse on their loss of life?

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Aafaaq

Sep 21, 2015 03:59pm

@Nimrah : Excellent comment. IK is the man for pakistan

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Aafaaq

Sep 21, 2015 04:01pm

@Mariam : I salute your comment for IK. For sure IK is a very genuine person and a true leader of this nation. I pray to God that he gets the opportunity to lead this nation to a better future.

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Usman Masood

Sep 21, 2015 04:10pm

Altaf Hussain!

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Karim US

Sep 21, 2015 04:15pm

As we say in the US this is a lot of baloney

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Dr,Sadaf

Sep 21, 2015 04:19pm

Please for God's sake , there is no comparison. IK is seriously pursuing his idealism, on the other hand, this guy looks more like an entertainer, nothing else.

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Farrukh

Sep 21, 2015 04:29pm

I think there was no need to refute Dr Hoodbhoy's opinion on point by point. It was primarliy focused on being selfish and arrogant. Trump can be laughed off because he won't be taken seriously by many. But Khan does have enough following to get elected and project his narcissistic egoistical ways on a nuclear armed Pakistan.

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awaisqz

Sep 21, 2015 04:30pm

People aren't necessarily all alike but some things do make them look similar. Much before Hoodbhouy and Micheal Kugelman, I was prompted to think about their similarities (however few they may be) from an economist article titled Trump 's America. Here is a summarized excerpt,
"First, he has a genius for self-promotion, unmoored from reality... Second, he says things that no politician would, so people think he is not a politician... His supporters, however, think his boorishness is a sign of authenticity—of a leader who can channel the rage of those who feel betrayed by the elite or left behind by social change. It turns out that there are tens of millions of such people in America."

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Kashif Mahmood

Sep 21, 2015 04:54pm

Brilliant article. IK is loved and admired world over. In Pakistan he has offended too many interest groups. Yes he has made mistakes but a lot of criticism of him is for one reason: he is challenging interests of too many people.

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Sami

Sep 21, 2015 05:06pm

Yes IK and DT are not exactly same but the differences are less than the difference between Pakistan and USA. So based on tendencies IK can be termed as DT of Pakistan. :-)

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Kirthar

Sep 21, 2015 05:14pm

I think ethnic politicians such as Asfandyar Wali, Mahmud Achakzai and Altaf Hussain are more like Donald Trump than Imran Khan.

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doraiz shamsi

Sep 21, 2015 05:31pm

Trump vs Malik Riaz might have been a better comparison.

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Talha

Sep 21, 2015 05:33pm

@Ahmad In that you might be a lesser Trump too, just that you may not look, sound or think like him!!

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Nomi

Sep 21, 2015 05:35pm

It just shows how these self-proclaimed "liberals" trying to stigmatize everyone and everything that they consider could do something good for Pakistan.

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Fawad

Sep 21, 2015 05:37pm

What a ridiculous comparison! Trump is demonizing Muslims, IK supports all minorities of Pakistan. Trump's wealth is made with dirty money (liquor, women etc) while IK is a hero in philanthropy and cricket. The writer either has a nefarious agenda or is high on something.

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Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A

Sep 21, 2015 05:44pm

@Shiraz
And besides, Khan has the same intense right wing extremism that Donald has as can be too often seen in his many sympathies with Taliban. He was the only politician who vociferously espoused for Taliban to be allowed to open offices across Pakistan, he persistently and severely criticized America for her drone attacks to eliminate Taliban and their hideouts, and lastly but not least he enjoys such trust and deep partnership of values and ideology with Taliban that they had appointed him as their negotiator with the government to bargain for their best interest. He is also on record for having said , right during the operation Zarb-e Azb, that were he in power he would have hired those very being bombed today in the armed forces of Pakistan. So, it is not just Im the dim, that people have to be weary off , it is lot more than that for people to see if he comes to power would he wage a war against the very Taliban, who are his allies.

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Talha

Sep 21, 2015 05:47pm

@Noman Ansari It is not about being a fan of a political leader. I don't want to patronize anyone but a common man needs to have a shrewd political mind and should know which candidate deserves his vote. Among the options we have, only with IK I can at least have faith and surety that he won't build his business through my vote. He may have his flaws but people like us need to decide whether being irritatingly persistent for clean elections is more of a crime than the fraudulent activities other political leaders have been involved in.

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Talha

Sep 21, 2015 05:52pm

Dr Hoodboy was totally wrong with his assessment. IK is a sincere Pakistani and a national hero. Trump is a self-centred businessman. On the other hand, one can find many reasons to compare Trump with those Pakistani politicians who are businessmen and have only benefited their own businesses by coming in power.

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Nisar Aryne

Sep 21, 2015 05:53pm

I don't think there should be any reason to compare the two. The only thing better in Trump may be his riches. You can't compare a nationalist with a clown.

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syed abbas

Sep 21, 2015 06:04pm

Michael do you know in our society if you address someone by using the word oye 'before their name is a sign of disrespect........Imran never fails in doing that .....sick and tired of this guy oye' Imran

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Freeman

Sep 21, 2015 06:08pm

I have great respect for Dr. Hoodbhoy and don't see a visionary leader in IK but would never compare him with Trump like trash. A good analytical article

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Faiza Salman

Sep 21, 2015 06:09pm

Mr. Khan has lead the country to glory and made institutions and struggling since last 18 years on the platform of 3rd world country's politics which are being run by the two strongest parties and they have power with in the law and beyond it. Trump has no idea the hurdles Imran faced in his life for his country. Imran Khan doing for the well being of the country and there is only one Khan in Pakistan, while Mr. Trump is doing to become the president and there are many like him in US of A.

The author really didn’t think before writing. He wasted his time and most importantly his efforts. He literally ran out of ideas. Imran Khan and Donald trump, where do you even think like that? Donald trump is the biggest misery of America and the whole world is just laughing how stupid Americans are to make him even talk like 16 year old on the presidential debate.

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M.Saeed

Sep 21, 2015 06:24pm

But, trump has not embarked on any Dharna or a similiar black-mail mass against Obama, calling him in nsty street-words.
He is talking of Naya Pakistan but, can we compare him even remotely with our Quaid? Did Quaid ever utter a single bad-word in his entire movement against the British and their Hindu collaborators?
We must do "Insaaf" in comparing Imran who is trying to gain popularity by ridiculing Quaid's Purana Pakistan,, and projecting himself the real flag-bearer of a Naya Pakistan, with our Father of the Nation.

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Asad

Sep 21, 2015 06:32pm

Though the article was quite good, the poll at the bottom asked the questions "Is Imran Khan really Pakistan’s Donald Trump?". It is a big fallacy to ask something in Yes or No after stating your own opinion about it for more that 2000 words. You can not give your own opinion fairly!

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Rashid

Sep 21, 2015 06:41pm

With all due respect, I disagree with Mr Michael Kugelman. Of course one is real estate tycoon from USA vs other is sport hero turn politician from Pakistan, so there is not much similarities in their careers, but at the end of the day what matters is they both share the same personality, i.e. they are both narcissist, and that is what HoodBhoy concluded from his well written rather pragmatic article too.

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Riaz Murtaza

Sep 21, 2015 06:47pm

Is Donald Trump the Imran khan of USA.
This looks better!

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JS Sheikh

Sep 21, 2015 06:54pm

Kugleman, you got it wrong. At least you did not mention a crucial difference: Trump is white and IK is semi white!

There are two many similarities between the two: 1. both are anti politics politicians; 2. both are kings of saying brash things; 3. both had a playboy lifestyle; 4. both live in big luxurious houses; 5. both have a lifestyle of rich and famous; 6. both have been married more than once; 7. both raised populist slogans; 8. both verge on demagoguery; 9. both appeal to the right of the political spectrum; and 10 and this is a BIG ten:

IK can dance to the tune of some, the question is does or can Mr Trump do the same?

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Muhammad

Sep 21, 2015 06:57pm

Trump never advocated negotiations with Al-Qaeda

Khan Sb, on the other hand, still cant's get the negotiations mantra with TTP out of his head. This is not called naivety, but criminal ignorance.

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faridullah

Sep 21, 2015 07:01pm

Both Imran and Trump will not leave footprint in the history of mankind.

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JS Sheikh

Sep 21, 2015 07:04pm

and BTW why do IK supporters here, object to being IK being likened to Donald Trump?

What is it that's making them uncomfortable?

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Rakaposhi

Sep 21, 2015 07:13pm

It is unfortunate that Prof Hoodhboy write such an article and sorry but I feel like this response could be better as well. This issue has been made way more complicated than it is, here is my short response:

Trump is being trump, he can glorify himself or whatever, that's just his style and I really don't care about it. His main problem is the attitudes towards minorities including Mexicans and Muslims and that's the most troublesome thing about him and his supporters.

In contrast, Imran Khan and all his insafians are the most supportive bunch towards minorities and always stand by them, rather a pioneering act in Pakistan where minorities have greatly suffered and no one stands for them.

There is no comparison bteween the two, not even close.

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s.subrahmanyam

Sep 21, 2015 07:50pm

@Shiraz Very well said.

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Pakistani

Sep 21, 2015 07:54pm

This article proves that Imran Khan is actually a western puppet. Dr. Hoodbhoy was absolutely right.

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zack khan

Sep 21, 2015 07:56pm

I did not read the whole article, but please, do not campare Imran Khan to Donald Trump.
The things Donald Trump has said shows he is a war monger. If he gets elected there will be more chaos in the world. Trump has no ethical values. I wont even hire him if I own a company.
Whereas Imran Khan is a blessing to Pakistan.

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s.subrahmanyam

Sep 21, 2015 07:57pm

@Nimrah He may not instigate violence but he has never had the courage to condemn and criticise the crazies of TTP. That is political cowardice. Even after the horrible Peshawar carnage he would not openly criticise the murderers of innocent children and teachers. Where is his political courage in all this?

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Javed I. Kaiser

Sep 21, 2015 08:32pm

agreed

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Dr,Sadaf

Sep 21, 2015 08:35pm

@JS Sheikh , nothing is making anyone uncomfortable, remember IK has no corruption charges which I think can make even a king very uncomfortable. If comparison has to be made then some merit should be followed. It seems you have some bones to pick with IK.

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Bilal Khan

Sep 21, 2015 08:50pm

Don't even think about calling Imran the crazy man Donald Trump. Those who don't know Trump first ask Americans. Trump hates women, never lived a poor people's life, never struggle for the lower or middle class facing day to day life issues. Trump hates Muslims. Anyone will win but Trump as a President of USA but Imran will be the next prime minister of Pakistan.

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ulfat

Sep 21, 2015 08:54pm

i think pervez hoodbouy used trump as an ideology which khan uses faily well... as we saw khan mocking politicians, govt. officials, election comission members,, list goes on... it was a crebral comparison if we follow khan political rising since 2011 lahore rally

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Faiza Salman

Sep 21, 2015 08:55pm

Imran Khan is fighting corruption injustice in a third world country for its people. He has lead from front while building or may it be getting on top. 18 years of struggle. Mr. Trump on the other hand is a richest man of a powerful nation, there are many like Trump in America because its the land of oppertunity. But in Pakistan Imran has sacrificed all for his country's well being.

Unfair judgement by writer. Imran Khan address major issues of the country and contribute his efforts for the nation in the shape of Shukat Khannam Hospital and University in remote area. While Donald Trump is a business man and anti Muslim. His campaign is aggressive. Both Nawaz and Zaradari Government made corruption. We forget that Imran Khan is efforting for changing system and corrupt mind set in replacement of competent peoples. In a way benefit goes to citizens of Pakistan. He supports minorities , farmers and oppressed people of Pakistan. Let be fair Imran Khan is the only Politician, who will take out of this country from all troubles.

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Ahmer Naqvi

Sep 21, 2015 09:08pm

I think Malik Riaz soon will be the Donald Trump of Pakistan.

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Shahid

Sep 21, 2015 09:14pm

@Meens I highly doubt a man of the calibre of someone like Imran Khan needs to prove himself to a man with the calibre of someone such as yourself. Spouting pointless facts. He himself has said numerous times he has everything, fame, fortune and happiness. Thing is, hes a different kettle of fish and his thinking is bigger than yours. Now you should analyse that.

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FJ

Sep 21, 2015 09:30pm

I've never read a single article from the respected Prof. Hoodbhoy regarding other political parties and politicians; although they might be more responsible for Pakistan's plight than Imran Khan with all his ego issues. In a way, it has become a fashion to criticize Mr Khan these days.

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curious2

Sep 21, 2015 09:37pm

He always reminded me of Obama. Both like to pander simplistic solutions and both the Pakistani and American people are desperate for change and new faces. Obama promised free health care, no war, end of strife with Muslims, new faces in Washington, cooperation with Republicans, etc. In hindsight all those promises were as ridiculous

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Rahat

Sep 21, 2015 10:16pm

@Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A criticism of the US which has truly ruined the peace of this region does not constitute sympathy for Taliban.

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manal

Sep 21, 2015 10:28pm

Thank you Mr. Kugelman! I share your thoughts as well! I was puzzled to read the original article comparing the two since I have also been following Donald Trump's election campaign. I felt that at times Mr. Hoodbhoy was reaching very far with trying to establish similarities!

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Hasan Tasleem

Sep 21, 2015 10:32pm

America is Getting over Trump'ism. He was fuelled by Media; Same with Khan, whose media glory day is over, and Pakistan has put Imran'ism behind and moved on.

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independentthinker

Sep 21, 2015 11:03pm

Most of Dr. Hoodbhoy's views make perfect sense, but this time, he appeared to be totally off-base. Maybe, he just doesn't like Imran Khan and wanted to associate him to the worst politician and picked Donald Trump. In order for Dr. Hoodbhoy to continue maintaining his status, maybe, he should be a little careful when he is comparing.

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Fawad

Sep 21, 2015 11:05pm

@ulfat
Imran Khan is mocking a broken system.. Do you seriously think that speaking out against Election Commision failures, Fraud, corrupt politicians, bad policies, use of Goons etc is bad for the country?

Pakistan is a failed state where USA is one of the most powerful. Trump trying to change USA cannot be compared to Imran Khan trying to change Pakistan.

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faisal

Sep 21, 2015 11:32pm

Totally unfair article worth less comparison. Trump is rich man who is possibly want to get richer while Khan is charity worker from Cancer hospital to universities . Khan worth is less then few million while Trump is over $15 Billion.

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Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A

Sep 21, 2015 11:52pm

@Rahat But having been nominated as negotiator for Taliban by Taliban, and offer to open their offices in Pakistan is also something that does not constitute sympathy for Taliban? I believe and any unbiased seeker of truth will see it as a nexus and solid alliance between the two.

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Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A

Sep 22, 2015 12:05am

@independentthinker There's no need to malign Imran and nor Dr. Hoodbhoy is guilty of any such act. All he has done is he has laid facts bare before all of us-facts that are there for everyone to see and irrefutable except that we want to gloss over them, and don't want to face the bitter truth or who does not know that Imran had offered the Taliban to open their offices in the country and that he had been appointed negotiator by Taliban to negotiate their best interest with Pak government last year.

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Shahid

Sep 22, 2015 12:40am

A fairly well assessed article. Imran is respected all over the world because he carries an unblemished record as a sportsman and bringing neutral umpires into cricketing world, for his cancer hospitals, for his NUML university and his efforts to help people at the time of natual disasters like earthquake and floods. And above all for his firm bold stance against american drone attacks when all the rotten politition had their mouths shut against the american aggression. Again Imran is the only person who has taken a firm and bold stance against all types of corrupt and corruption. Has any other person has more to his credit than Imran?? A Big No

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Harmony-1

Sep 22, 2015 12:51am

@Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A - Not every single Taliban man, woman and child is a terrorist. Hundreds of thousands just support them for their religious beliefs (wrong or right is another debate). You can't kill those innocents. Once the ones with the terrorists mindset are eliminated, that will result in some kind of negotiations. They did that at the end with Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland and so did it happen in Sri Lanka.

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Lakhkar Khan

Sep 22, 2015 01:39am

@Ahmer Naqvi

So, there will be two Donald Trumps in Pakistan, Imran “Khan” and Malik Riaz.

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Mumtaz Baig

Sep 22, 2015 01:44am

I will put Nawaz Sharif close to Trump. Both are businessmen. Businessman in power seeks more wealth for himself and does little for the country. Imran Khan is self made middle class person who obviously is not in politics to make money. If IK wanted more money he would have done that before coming in to politics. I see more similarities between Nawaz Sharif and Donald Trump and none between IK and Trump.

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B_lal

Sep 22, 2015 01:52am

I don't know who could be termed as Donald Trump of Pakistan, but there is certainly some one in our neighborhood who fits the bill perfectly and the scary thing is that he is already ruling his country.

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Saif

Sep 22, 2015 02:16am

The major difference between Imran Khan and Donald Trump is that while Imran Khan is here to stay even if he doesn't win the next elections, Donald Trump is not. DT is going to last only until primaries or if does better until the next US elections, no further.

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Obama

Sep 22, 2015 02:22am

No math of Imran Khan with Donald Trump; Imran Khan more handsome, more educated, talks more collectively; Donald is age 73, womanizer, runs World Beauty pageant for Miss world and Miss America. Imran Khan s a professional player, world renounced, Donald Trump World renounced for Running Miss America pageant. Trump made his money from gambling business, from Casinos and Hotels. Imran Khan made some fortune with his small work. Donald talks one thing and does another, false believes, has hatred for colored people, nothing like that by Imran Khan. No one likes Trump, millions like Imran. Trump will disappear from world screen soon, Imran has long way to go.

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Shan

Sep 22, 2015 03:06am

@Dilectus yes that's how I feel too.

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adnan

Sep 22, 2015 03:27am

@ZAID_GUL it didn't do nything to pakistan.. where r u dreaing . don't put lies on public forums

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Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A

Sep 22, 2015 04:05am

HARMONY-1 Sinn Fein and any freedom movement in any part of the world against oppressive rule, foreign or indigenous, have no commonalities with TALIBAN. One fights against oppression and brutality to bring freedom, the other fights through unprecedented brutality, warfare, mayhem and murder to usurp freedom of those who believe and practice differently. They are galaxies apart in goals, soul and character.; I am sad you don't see that.

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abc

Sep 22, 2015 04:06am

@JZ Billions not millions

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Jay

Sep 22, 2015 04:15am

@T

As an outsider but a regular reader of Dawn, this is my general observation:

In the early days when I first started reading Dawn, especially the columns and editorials, only 20-25% of the comments made by the people missed the essence of the write up. Sadly, this has gone up to 75-80% now. And, for this particular write up by respected Mr. Hoodbhoy, it is even more.

Its too bad that the way things needs to be analyzed i.e. summarily the gap between the mindset of academia/intelligentsia and the common people is getting wider by the day. This happens when defense retirees, interns and too many pseudo-intellectuals given more space rather than scholars, academia and intelligentsia.

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Changez_Khan

Sep 22, 2015 05:02am

Very well written article. Thanks.

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TA

Sep 22, 2015 06:19am

@Zeeshan Arshad

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Salim Khan

Sep 22, 2015 06:39am

Very ill comparison. Absloutley rubbish.

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Babar

Sep 22, 2015 06:40am

Imran is the Donald trump of Pakistan and no matter how much author tries to coat it, he has the same ego problem, the same naivety, the same right wing conservative attitude and religious and ethnic bigotry , the win by hook or crook (Karachi NA246 example where the Rangers sided with him and he was fully aware of what was happening), the same stupid speeches with no substance and both relying on their success in one field or the other. Both will make terrible leaders.

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Ali

Sep 22, 2015 07:34am

Not physically or by any comparison this author made. But both are ego-eccentric, stupid and do not care about their countrymen.

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Z

Sep 22, 2015 07:39am

@Obama
Also, IK refused to be a 'judge' on beauty pageants!

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Z

Sep 22, 2015 07:42am

@Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A
Just read his articles afresh and you will see the color of his glasses.
I have started suspecting his sincerity, at the lest.

What a illiterate comparison - Imran Khan is leader and he is businessman who is also a racist business man

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Tru lies

Sep 22, 2015 09:38am

Balanced article. Our writers need to show more maturity and less vitriol.

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Jamil

Sep 22, 2015 09:40am

Slight correction...

Donald was/is a businessman turned celebrity and now a politician...whereas Imran Khan was a celebrity sportsman and now turned politician both come from entirely different backgrounds and hence would have entirely different views of Power and how to use it

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Muhammad

Sep 22, 2015 11:56am

My Dear Michael Kugelman, "Naya Pakistan" is both nefarious & nasty! Very much evident from IK & his followers conduct.

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Farrukh Munir

Sep 22, 2015 12:14pm

I wish the writer had mentioned Sarah Palin here. Donald Trump is Sarah Palin of this election. Imran Khan, though naive, is a leader of a party that he has build over two decades and has brought it to a position where it's considered to be the second main political party in Pakistan. Imran Khan hasn't got coherent policies as such at the moment but it takes time to develop policies and I'm sure those will come along the way.

I'm not Imran's supporter but I like him as a human being and I appreciate his efforts in his charitable projects, and for that reason alone, it's an insult to compare him with Donald Trump.

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Emran Ahmed

Sep 22, 2015 12:50pm

@Mariam m agreed with you

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Emran Ahmed

Sep 22, 2015 12:51pm

m agreed with you IK is the biggest hero of Pakistan

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Ahmad

Sep 22, 2015 12:59pm

I believe, if not now, Imran Khan is all set to become the Donald Trump of Pakistan quite soon. The way he is losing his credibility & integrity as a leader of promised Change to reform Pakistan, within the party & outside, by not only keeping a closed eye on the injustices & atrocious acts of his associates in the inner most circles but protecting them with his open statements is making him unpopular and nothing more than a hypocrite...another extension of status quo in waiting. He has to prove himself by his firm actions to match his words, as the frequent U-turns are not helping him. Only Imran Khan can prove he is not the Donald Trump of Pakistan to close this debate.....and we all are hoping & waiting for that time, not in sight at present.

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Hamood

Sep 22, 2015 01:02pm

I was (maybe am) a PML(N) supporter.
Imran Khan in a few things is similar to Donald Trump such as he uses humiliating remarks to undermine his opponents, even states wrong or incomplete facts (uses half truth) to gain public attention but he is a far better man. Donald Trump succeeded in running a good business, Imran Khan established a fully functional Cancer Hospital for the people of Pakistan and most importantly it was free for the poor, he proved his leadership qualities in World Cup 1992, made a university (NAMAL), His political party is ruling already in a province and his government in KPK is setting a good example for future KPK governments. Imran Khan is a true leader with potential to become our future prime minister. He deserves it.

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Zaheer

Sep 22, 2015 02:30pm

Trump and Khan comparison is wrong. Khan founded a political party and struggled within the polirical realm to rise where he is now while Trump's nomination is even dubious as many GOP folks think that he not a true conservative as Gov.Walker suggested when waa postponing his campaign yesterday. Khan never made racists remarks. Khan givesgives you a solution to a problem whether applicable or not Trump gives no solution he generalize every thing that people will respect him everything is gonna be great and beautiful, he will make deals, etc. Khan accepts mistakes while Trump does not. Khan is a leader and politician while Trump is not.

@Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A - I am surprised that you think they are "galaxies apart" as Talibans too want their own rule (like they did before after Soviets left) and not everyone can be eliminated as not every one of them carries gun. Once they lay their arms, the negotiations will ensue. In fact there already are efforts towards that, remember Afghan government and Taliban peace talks in Muree that failed? So, I don't understand what your point is, to eliminate the whole race or what?

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Dr. Abdul Mannan Khan

Sep 22, 2015 04:20pm

Everything is in this world is relevant. My Mother and Father may not be perfectly right persons but who else did contribute in my life more than them? Nobody.

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Masyed

Sep 23, 2015 10:31am

Donald Trump is an entertainer, Imran Khan is a visionary, honest leaser, may be a little rusty in his tactics, but at least a Pakistani Leader with an agenda, for some reason our leaders never have any agenda,for the nation,country or the community,but the country is a very sharif country and never ever protests or demands any thing !!!

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Usman

Sep 23, 2015 07:01pm

Khan is Right Wing? Since when is anti-corruption, focus on education, focus on healthcare considered Right Wing? Kugelman is looking at Imran Khan solely through an American foreign policy perspective, his categorization OF IK as "Right Wing" gives that away. Kugelman like other 'faux-liberals' does not care about corruption,nepotism,malgovernance,inefficiency in Pakistani institutions which is what the average Pakistani cares about and none of the 'faux-liberals' discuss.